Cherokee's Trout Fishing Tournaments
In 2011, the U.S. National Fly Fishing Championship was held in Cherokee's Tribal Waters — the first time the National event had been held in the Southeast. This year, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Fish and Wildlife Management division and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce have scheduled a total of eight major fishing events. For more information, visit Fish Cherokee, a new website devoted exclusively to Tribal fishing events. Tournament dates for 2013 have been announced.
Indian Creek Campground
1367 Bunches Creek Rd.
Cherokee, NC 28719
Cherokee Fisheries & Wildlife Management
1840 Painttown Rd
Cherokee, NC 28719
Fly Rod Chronicles
1106 Lakeview Dr
Cross Junction, VA 22625
Craig's Cabins & Cherokee Campground
US 19N / US 441S Bus.
Cherokee, NC 28719
River's Edge Outfitters
1235 Seven Clans Lane (Hwy. 441)
Whittier, NC 28789
Panther Creek Cabins
3542 Wrights Creek Road
Cherokee, NC 28719
Fontana Guides
Fontana Guides offers expert fishing & tour guide services year round on the rivers and lakes of Western North Carolina. We offer a trip for any fish species in the Smokies. Choose fly fishing or conventional tackle. Pontoon boat, paddle board & kayak, wade & walk, and night fishing trips are available. We also offer wildlife sightseeing & sunset cruises via pontoon boat or kayak for those just looking to see the Smokies from the water. Call us anytime or visit our website & Facebook page for more information. Tumbling Waters Trout Pond
1612 Panthers Creek Rd
Almond, NC 28702
Fontana Village Resort
Hwy 28 North
Fontana Dam, NC 28733
Fontana Village has a wide range of accommodations, including rooms in the intimate settings of The Lodge, suites, 1-4 bedroom cabins, as well as RV & tent camping on the beautiful Cheoah Lake. Amenities & activities include: restaurants, shopping, mountain biking, hiking, marina, boat rentals, charters and superb fishing on beautiful Fontana Lake. Two swimming pools, one with a lazy river, putt-putt & disc golf, ghost tours, massage & fitness center, summer music series, firework displays July 4th, Labor Day & New Years Eve. Abundant conference space to accommodate groups of all sizes. Fontana Village Resort, a year round destination resort, set amidst the pristine beauty of the Nantahala Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located near the Dragon on Highway 28 North, at Fontana Dam, NC. Check our website at www.fontanavillage.com or call 800-849-2258 for further information. 30 Miles of Well-Stocked Trout Streams
The Smokies are a fisherman's delight whether you prefer flat water fishing on Lake Fontana or trout fishing on one of our many mountain streams or rivers. And the trout fishing is especially good in the well-stocked Cherokee tribal waters.
CHEROKEE TRIBAL WATERS
Each year, the EBCI Fish and Wildlife Management division stocks nearly 400,000 trout in the tribal waters, a stream system connecting 30 miles of freestone streams that include secluded forest settings, suburban road side areas as well as the center of the town of Cherokee.
Tribal waters (PDF map) are now open for fishing year around. No license is required to fish in Reservation waters, however a tribal permit is required.
• One-day permit: $10 (creel limit of ten)
• Two-day permit: $17
• Three-day permit: $27
• Five-day permit: $47
• Single season permit: $250
A permit is not required for children under 12, if accompanied by a permitted adult.
There is a catch-and-release section for flyfishing only. A Tribal Special Use Permit allows use of this area, designated on the Raven Fork. An additional $75 annual permit is required in this section.
Fishing in the "Trophy Waters" catch-and-release section of Ravens Fork requires an additional special use permit. Details, including information on multi-day and special use permits, can be found here.
The tribe offers three handicapped fishing piers that accommodate wheelchairs. One is located at the fishing ponds in Big Cove and two are along the Oconaluftee River in downtown Cherokee.
NATIONAL PARK WATERS
To fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you must have either a valid North Carolina or Tennessee fishing license.
You can purchase a basic North Carolina license at locations throughout the area.
NC License (Residents)
• One-day : $5
• One-year: $15
NC License (Non-residents)
• One-day : $10
• Two-day: $15
• One-year: $30
OTHER TROUT STREAMS
If you plan to fish for trout outside the National Park or Cherokee Reservation, an additional "trout stamp" is required at a cost of $10. Some of the trout streams are strictly catch-and-release. Information on Trout Fishing in North Carolina from NC Fish & Wildlife.
FONTANA LAKE
There are several marinas at Fontana Lake for boat rentals as well as several public boat ramps. Guide services are also available.